Friday, September 18, 2009

UACCM held a grand opening and open house for the new UACCM Library Complex on Thursday, September 17. Members of the Morrilton Area Chamber of Commerce cut the ribbon to the new facility before visitors were given the opportunity to get an in-depth look at the new 26,000 square-foot building. Guests attending the grand opening enjoyed refreshments and informal tours where they met faculty and staff members who were on hand to answer questions.

Ground was broken for the new facility on June 3, 2008, and is the latest new addition to the growing campus in Morrilton. It includes more than 15,000 square feet of library space for the relocated E. Allen Gordon Library, seven classrooms, 10 faculty offices, space for more than 75,000 books, the college academic success computer lab, and more. The new complex also offers Wi-Fi internet access with 20 laptop computers for student use and individual study rooms. According to UACCM Librarian Leroy Gattin, “The new E. Allen Gordon Library provides students at UACCM with an inviting, comfortable place for study and research.” Gattin also noted that “In the short time that our new facility has been in use, we have observed a great increase in the usage of computers and the book collection. In fact, the facility is experiencing an average of 700 users per day.”

The majority of funding for the Library Complex was $3.15 million dollars UACCM received in revenue from the Arkansas Higher Education Technology and Facility Improvement Act of 2005, a bond issue approved by the state’s voters in 2006. Mary Clark, UACCM director of public relations and marketing, expressed gratitude to the people of Conway County and the state of Arkansas and said the library would not have become a reality without their support. Clark said the library helps bring the new facility closer in line with the rapid enrollment growth experienced by the college. “Our new library facility reinforces the college’s commitment to excellence in learning and personal enrichment.”